Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
April 19, 2010

Question:

I am making my husband a ring using an oval black onyx glass bead and 20 ga sterling silver wire. What kind of pattern is used for making a man’s ring? I found plenty for women, but none for men. Any ideas?

Answer:

The original Pharaoh’s or Classic Cabochon ring design IS a man’s design! Over the years it has just been adapted for women. You could do an Internet search for a set of instructions to make it, or you could get one of our DVDs with step-by-step instructions. Either way, I am sure your husband will not be disappointed.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
April 18, 2010

Question:

When you have a partially used spool of wire, and don’t know how much is left on the spool, what do you do?  I really don’t want to unroll the spool to find out how many feet are remaining. Is there a chart or calculator that would tell me the length based on the weight-gauge-metal?  I have empty spools that can be weighted for the tare. I’m working in copper and aluminum.

Answer:

I cannot help you with the aluminum yet, but this link will take you to our Wire Footage charts, that include one for copper. Wire Footage Charts

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
April 17, 2010

Question:

Let me first of all thank you for the time you take to answer questions.  It Is rarity to have an “expert” willing to help beginners for free.  I am a 53 year old nurse looking for something to help unwind in the present day and something to give a source of income in retirement.  I figure I have about 12 years to get it right.  In the meantime, my gift giving should get a whole lot easier.  I have been an avid beader with a passion for vintage and other garage sale “stuff”.  I am also interested in marrying polymer clay beading to wire wrapping.  I don’t have the income to support gemstones at this time.  Any thoughts?

Answer:

First, many thanks for your appreciation! It sounds like you have a great plan ‘in progress’. Many of my students are in the medical field and find wire jewelry making to be not only a wonderful stress reliever, but also a good creative outlet, as it does not take much space or time. Wire can be used to incorporate about anything, including vintage jewelry and other components, AND beads made of different materials like polymer clay. I enjoy using a wide variety of items in my work, often made by other artist friends such as cabochons made of polymer clay or dichroic glass.

Using glass stones, that come out of old jewelry settings, is a great way to practice setting cut stones, and many of us have found that old resin cabs and cameos sell well too. To begin, my recommendation would be to use a practice wire such as copper and work with some of the patterns and designs already ‘out there’. As your confidence and skills grow, you can then expand into using sterling silver and more expensive supplies, while altering these patterns to accommodate your chosen vintage and ‘found’ goodies.

If you haven’t already signed up to receive our Free Email Patterns, you may wish to take a moment to do by following this link. http://wire-sculpture.com/pages/Jewelry_Making_Patterns2.html On the right hand side, about halfway down is a display box where you can enter your first name and email address. You will then receive a brand new, stepped out pattern about every two weeks, 100% Free!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
April 16, 2010

Question:

Can you use flitz in a tumbler to protect silver jewelry? If so with what media?

Answer:

I have to admit that neither my husband nor I had ever heard of ‘Flitz’ before, so I did some research and it sounds like a product I would like to try. Regarding your question about using it in a tumbler, there is a product they call a ‘Tumbler/Media Additive’, and this is what they advertise: “Will not harm ANY METAL or Primer. Will not stress brass. No Ammonia. No Buildup. Suitable for corn cob, walnut or other media. Cuts tumbling time in half. Cleans, polishes & protects brass & nickel. Eco-safe product. Removes: Oxidation, Tarnish, Lead Buildup and Fingerprints. Safe for: Safe when used on ANY Metal. Will not Deaden the Primer. Will not Stress or Imbrittle Brass. No Ammonia. No Buildup.” The video shows a rotary tumbler and brass bullet casings. However on their tips page, they talk about using the liquid product with regards to polishing. http://www.flitzusa.com/shop/index.php?main_page=page&id=15 It may be something you’d like to try, and if you do, please let me know your results so I can share them.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
April 15, 2010

Question:

I have had some luck with metallic nail polish on the back of glass stones it can’t hurt to try just go to dollar store for polish and remover.

Answer:

Thanks Judith, for sharing this cool and inexpensive idea for repairing the foil/mirror backs on acrylic and vintage stones!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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